Skeleton Road by Val McDermid

Our book of the month for March is a thriller by Scottish author Val McDermid. 

When a skeleton is discovered hidden at the top of a crumbling, gothic building in Edinburgh, Detective Chief Inspector Karen Pirie is faced with the unenviable task of identifying the bones. 

As Karen's investigation gathers momentum, she is drawn deeper into a dark world of intrigue and betrayal.  Meanwhile, someone is taking the law into their own hands in the name of justice and revenge -- but when present resentment collides with secrets of the past, the truth is more shocking than anyone could have imagined . . 

Val McDermid has visited The Isle of Man to speak at an Author's Breakfast organised by Manx Blind Welfare. Another local connection is her book 'The Grave Tattoo', which was based on the rumour that Fletcher Christian returned to the Lake District after leaving Pitcairn Island. He then told his story to former schoolmate, poet William Wordsworth, who based a secret poem on it.

Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks

 ‘’Year of Wonders’ carries absolute conviction as an evocation of place and mood. It has a vivid imaginative truth, and is beautifully written.’ Hilary Mantel

Our Book of the Month is Geraldine Brooks's Year of Wonders, which describes the 17th-century plague that is carried from London to a small Derbyshire village by an itinerant tailor. 

As villagers begin, one by one, to die, the rest face a choice. Do they flee their village in the hope of outrunning the plague or do they stay? 

The lord of the manor and his family pack and leave. The rector, Michael Mompellion, argues forcefully that the villagers should stay put, isolate themselves from neighbouring towns and villages and prevent the contagion from spreading. His oratory wins the day and the village turns in on itself. 

Cocooned from the outside world and ravaged by the disease, its inhabitants struggle to retain their humanity in the face of the disaster.

Geraldine Brooks is an Australian / American author, and this was her first novel. She was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in fiction in 2006 for her second novel, 'March'. 

Book Group News

 Simon & Schuster

We've got some great reads lined up this year starting with a double bill of 'Brokeback Mountain' by Annie Proulx and / or a Susan Hill novella of your own choice. 

Annie Proulx is known for a book group favourite 'The Shipping News' and for her superb short stories. Ennis del Mar and Jack Twist, two ranch hands, meet when they're working as sheepherder and camp tender one summer on Brokeback Mountain. They unsuccessfully try to resist the attraction that develops between them, but their relationship survives the years and separations. Although they both marry and have families, it remains the most important thing in their lives. 

The book became a highly acclaimed film, which I felt did more justice to the book than the screen adaptation of 'The Shipping News'

A reviewer on Amazon posted this summary of the book: 

"It will take you an hour to read, but it could be the best hour of your life. Lovely, touching, disturbing and superbly written".


Pam

Book group member and poet, Elizabeth Adams, has just read 'The Mist In The Mirror' by Susan Hill, which inspired her to write this poem:

THE MIST IN THE MIRROR

Well what a story, an age old one

evil trying to destroy good

For all our frailties, God knows

he will not allow all good to fail,

We first in our innocence

Then in our human arrogance

believe so much in ourselves

we close the door on the Lord.

The past ignorance of evil

has been in part tainted

Ghosts, Ghouls who would be such a fool

but wary we must be

the devil will always seek

the gullible, the unbelievers

who close their hearts and minds 

to upsets behind blinds

Elizabeth Adams

Christmas Meeting

The library has a lovely tree on display at the airport this year for The Save The Children Festival of Trees. It was created by our talented Library Assistant and Illustrator Quinn Shipton and incorporates leaves with favourite books chosen by our library readers. 

We decided to read some of the chosen titles for our Christmas meeting, and here's a few of our picks.... 

You can pick up a leaflet with all the favourite books from the library if you're looking for some good ideas for Christmas Reading. Why not call down to the airport and see our tree over the holidays? 

November Reads

We couldn't decide between these two fantastic books, so will be discussing them both tonight!

'A Light Between the Oceans' by M L Steadman

A boat washes up on the shore of a remote lighthouse keeper's island. It holds a dead man - and a crying baby. 

The only two islanders, Tom and his wife Izzy, make a devastating decision to break the rules and follow their hearts...

 ‘A LIGHT BETWEEN THE OCEANS’ is currently being made into a film, due for release in 2016, so wonderful to read the book first.

You can read more about 'A Light Between The Oceans on an earlier post when the book was first released:  Onchan Book Group







'A Man Called Ove' by Fredrik Backman

Ove is possibly the grumpiest man in Sweden. He drives a Saab - has no time for Volvo drivers, or people who can’t reverse trailers, and especially the neighbours who ousted him from being Chairman of The Resident’s Association. 

But Ove does have a heart beneath that crusty exterior, and his poignant and moving story is told with flashes of dark humour.

So many positive comments from people borrowing and reading this book from the library, so looking forward to hearing what the group thinks tonight!

Meet Jetmalew and Friends!

We're all looking forward to meeting Jetmalew and friends with local author and illustrator Vicki Orwin at The Harvey Briggs Onchan Library on Saturday 10th Oct from 10.30 - 12.30. Vicki will be reading from her new book, signing copies, and there will be Jetmalew themed activities to make and do. There's also a hunt around the library with a signed copy of Jetmalew's Island Adventures as a prize! 

Manx Litfest 2015 is nearly here!

 Island book lovers look forward to this event each year, which will run from 22nd - 27th September. 

As usual, you will be spoiled for choice - take a look at their full programme on manxlitfest.com and keep up with the latest news on their facebook page.

A highlight of special interest for book groups is Andy Miller - READ Y’SELF FITTER, which aims to cure you of your bad reading habits and asks the audience to think about whether it's better to spend time at the gym or the library? And is Moby-Dick really a better book than The Da Vinci Code? Andy Miller is the author of 'The Year of Reading Dangerously'. Places are limited to 30 for this event at The Bath and Bottle on Sat 26th Sept at 1.30 p.m. and tickets can be booked from The Villa &Gaiety Box Office.

Book Fanatics Quiz Night

The Book Fanatics Quiz Night will be on Thurs 24th September at The Noa Bakehouse at 8 p.m. We're looking to put together an Onchan Bookgroup or library team, so please contact us if you're interested. It's a fun evening and all welcome! Once again, tickets can be booked at The Villa & Gaiety Box Office.